Two Closing Assignments:
Poetic Profile, Discipline Report

November 23, 2008

Greetings, interns, and best wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving. Some of you are already on break (Fayetteville and Bentonville), so savor the moment and enjoy the week off.

Keep the Momentum Going
for our Post and Ponder Threads.

As discussed in class, your last two assignments begin here on Planet Gnosis. But before we outline them, I remind you to finish strong with your commentary for the Post and Ponder threads we launched back in September. Two more responses are due, so take a look at what your classmates have written so you can continue a thread or add a suggestion.

Your writing for Post and Ponder gets better and more incisive with each passing week. Together you are creating a mature and reasoned document about your classroom experiences. I'm very proud of your work in this most interesting and useful forum.  Remember, too, that you can exceed the assigned number of posts as you pursue the spirit of sharing and communication.

Create a Poetic Profile
to Illuminate Your Students.

The second bio poem assignment has a new name, Poetic Profile. It helps us as teachers address the vital question, "Why is it important to know who our students are?" When we know the backgrounds and experiences of our students, we can plan lessons that engage them. We tailor our content to their interests and design activities that connect to their learning styles and multiple intelligences. When students have lessons that relate to their reality and are relevant to their lives, unruly classroom behavior becomes a non-issue. In completing your assignment, the Poetic Profile, you will tell your readers about your students: who they are, what they are like, and who they want to become.

As discussed in class, you have the freedom to compose a Poetic Profile poem using the sonnet form with octave and sestet — or not. You may choose to summarize and illuminate your students as a composite group, or you may write about students in one special class. The poem can also represent students from your last rotation.
NOTE: You are encouraged to write a title for your profile. It should be short enough to fit on one line.

Mara begins the assignment with a lovely poem she wrote to her students at the end of her first rotation. Her “letter” to these students becomes the introduction to the poem. Introduce your poem with a brief explanation of how you created it. In other words, tell your readers the concept behind your composition.

Write a Formal Report
about a Method of Discipline.

Your final assignment is to write a Discipline Report. You will choose one method of discipline to investigate for a three-to-five page paper. You should include a reference page. Cite at least five sources: two of your choice and three from scholarly, peer-reviewed journals. You may also use books and Internet sources. Suggested authorities include Marzano, Glasser, F. Jones, and Wong. Some of you attended professional development on classroom management techniques during the first rotation. I encourage you to incorporate sources from those seminars into your assignment. Remember to connect the paper to your progress as an emerging professional.

Have a great Thanksgiving break. End of semester is just around the corner.

Dr. FAB
Freddie A. Bowles
Assistant Professor of Foreign Language Education
Department of Curriculum and Instruction
University of Arkansas
fbowles@uark.edu

October 29, 2008

Dear Students,

As you know today is my last day. I’m leaving you all to go to my next rotation as an intern. I wanted to write you a letter to let you know what a great experience it has been to work with you for these past few weeks! This was my first time working in a school, and after working with you all, I know that I’m in the right career. Here is a poem I wrote to let you know how cool you all are and what a great group of students you are! Thanks so much for making my first teaching experience positive!

Eighth Graders at the Middle School

Whose presence can be heard from miles away.
Whose love for games and activities is apparent right off the bat.
Whose dislike of worksheets and bookwork is clear from the frowns
      on their faces.
Whose greatest hope is to fit in and be heard.
Whose biggest fear is homework.
Whose wide range of talents is impressive to all.
Whose energy and enthusiasm is enough to power a city.
Whose love of laughter and fun will carry them far.

Who are athletic, musical, artistic, and smart.
Who are unique individuals each with their own unique flare.
Who don’t like to listen or read in class.
Who want to get everything done as quick as a flash.
Who are full of energy and life.
Whom Mrs. Vaile will remember fondly forever!

Sincerely,
Mrs. Vaile

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